Submitted by Steven Kaszab

The trafficking of humans, wildlife, illicit drugs and other ill begotten gains has become more difficult thanks to the advancements of technology. Most international and domestic carriers of illicit products are shipped in metal crates/containers. If they are carrying illicit drugs the front section is often stuffed with coffee in an attempt to foul well trained dogs that can sniff the presence of these illegal items. Technology now exists that simplifies this process beginning in the pre-shipping stage to the arrival stage. Technological technics exist that draw air from all sides of the containers. These air samples are presented to drug or human sniffing dogs whose ability to smell sensitive items will allow law enforcement to stop a shipment from happening, or alert the future destinations upon arrival.  This life affirming process will make the transportation of illicit drugs and of humans more difficult in the near future. The drug profile presents a smell these dogs can identify. Imagine if this technology is profiled into every shipping container? A cost increase of the container well worthwhile. Homeland Security wake up and smell the defiling smells of illicit gains. Canine capabilities  range from identifying money, drugs, human beings, other wild life, cadavers, oil on  equipment and various chemicals. 

The application of Artificial Intelligence will make these identifications easier as well. Camera’s, sniffing tech and even the personal identification of criminals in real time will save lives and make illegal operations far more difficult. Not that it will stop these operations. Criminals are often capable of creatively out thinking their law enforcement opposition. Mexican Cartels have already devised methods of masking their product to make its identification more difficult. Human trafficking will become more direct in its nature, instead of shipping these people by container more direct lines of transportation will be devised, by sea, air or international links. Forgeries in documentation have improved, making a illegals identification at the border more difficult. All thanks to A.I. applications and the creative imagination of criminal elements playing with the lives of the human aspirations.

Smelling teleportation was invented by Osmo Corporation, which bills itself as digital olfaction. Using A.I. a sample of a sent can be analyzed, reproduced and then used elsewhere. It can be used as a identification code as well. 

The ancient ability of dogs to smell and sense danger applied in a technological fashion. A.I. is going to be capable of so much more as human interest in it escalates. Instead of going through a extensive process to identify materials found in the mail and upon the person of those attempting to traffic in illegal items like guns, ammunition, medications & drugs a simple attachment to the entrance of a church, public place, airport, mall or upon a police officers person can achieve excellent results in the identification of illicit items that threaten the public’s safety. Information is key. If the public domain is willing to provide the funds necessary. So long as identifiers are correct and publicly accepted the role of law enforcement can become safer and more effective.